Public release date: 4-Apr-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Mary Beth O'Leary moleary@cell.com 617-397-2802 Cell Press

People who have a buildup of certain proteins in the brain and spinal fluid have an increased likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease, but it's currently unclear who will develop these protein accumulations. Now researchers reporting online April 4th in the Cell Press journal Neuron have identified mutations in certain genetic regions that influence the levels of these protein accumulations. The findings may not only help identify people most at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease well before they show signs of cognitive decline, but also offer new information for the design of therapies that target the proteins involved.

"Tau is an important biomarker of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease, present as insoluble aggregates in the brain and as soluble protein in the cerebrospinal fluid," explains senior author Dr. Alison Goate, of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. "We have identified several genes that influence the levels of soluble tau in the cerebrospinal fluid, and we show that one of these genes also influences risk for Alzheimer's disease, rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease, and density of tangle pathology in the brain."

Previous genome analyses related to the expression of tau have been conducted in only a small number of patients. Dr. Goate and her team's study included information from 1,269 individuals, making it more than three times the size of previous studies.

A second genetic region identified by the group includes the Alzheimer's disease gene TREM2, which encodes a cellular receptor and other genes in TREM2's family, including TREML2. "Interestingly, although these genes are similar, the association of TREM2 and TREML2 with cerebrospinal fluid tau levels were in the opposite directionone associated with risk for Alzheimer's disease and the other protective," says first author Dr. Carlos Cruchaga, also of Washington University School of Medicine.

The researchers now plan to investigate the effects of these gene variants on tau levels in cultured cells and in mice. "In the longer term, we anticipate that knowledge about the role of these genes in Alzheimer's disease may lead to the identification of new targets from therapies or new animal or cellular models of the disease," says Dr. Goate.

###

Neuron, Cruchaga et al.: "GWAS of cerebrospinal fluid tau levels identifies novel risk variants for Alzheimer's disease."

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New genetic markers may signal who is at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease

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4 April 2013 Last updated at 20:33 ET

Genetic markers that could help highlight who is at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease have been identified by US scientists.

The research in Neuron identifies mutations that affect the build-up of certain proteins in the brain.

High levels of these tau proteins increase the chance of having the disease.

UK experts said the study could help understand the changes that occur in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

Tangles of a kind of tau called phosphorylated tau (ptau) are a hallmark of the disease.

One of the new gene variants identified by the Washington University School of Medicine team was also shown to be linked to a small increased risk of developing Alzheimer's and a greater risk of cognitive decline.

The team used genetic information from more than 1,200 people, significantly larger than previous studies in this area.

Dr Alison Goate, who led the study, said: "We anticipate that knowledge about the role of these genes in Alzheimer's disease may lead to the identification of new targets from therapies or new animal or cellular models of the disease.

UK experts said the study adds to the number of genetic markers that have been linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

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Alzheimer's ' genetic signs' found

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Apr. 4, 2013 Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a new set of genetic markers for Alzheimer's that point to a second pathway through which the disease develops.

Much of the genetic research on Alzheimer's centers on amyloid-beta, a key component of brain plaques that build up in the brains of people with the disease.

In the new study, the scientists identified several genes linked to the tau protein, which is found in the tangles that develop in the brain as Alzheimer's progresses and patients develop dementia. The findings may help provide targets for a different class of drugs that could be used for treatment.

The researchers report their findings online April 24 in the journal Neuron.

"We measured the tau protein in the cerebrospinal fluid and identified several genes that are related to high levels of tau and also affect risk for Alzheimer's disease," says senior investigator Alison M. Goate, DPhil, the Samuel and Mae S. Ludwig Professor of Genetics in Psychiatry. "As far as we're aware, three of these genes have no effect on amyloid-beta, suggesting that they are operating through a completely different pathway."

A fourth gene in the mix, APOE, had been identified long ago as a risk factor for Alzheimer's. It has been linked to amyloid-beta, but in the new study, APOE appears to be connected to elevated levels of tau. Finding that APOE is influencing more than one pathway could help explain why the gene has such a big effect on Alzheimer's disease risk, the researchers say.

"It appears APOE influences risk in more than one way," says Goate, also a professor of genetics and co-director of the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders. "Some of the effects are mediated through amyloid-beta and others by tau. That suggests there are at least two ways in which the gene can influence our risk for Alzheimer's disease."

The new research by Goate and her colleagues is the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) yet on tau in cerebrospinal fluid. The scientists analyzed points along the genomes of 1,269 individuals who had undergone spinal taps as part of ongoing Alzheimer's research.

Whereas amyloid is known to collect in the brain and affect brain cells from the outside, the tau protein usually is stored inside cells. So tau usually moves into the spinal fluid when cells are damaged or die. Elevated tau has been linked to several forms of non-Alzheimer's dementia, and first author Carlos Cruchaga, PhD, says that although amyloid plaques are a key feature of Alzheimer's disease, it's possible that excess tau has more to do with the dementia than plaques.

"We know there are some individuals with high levels of amyloid-beta who don't develop Alzheimer's disease," says Cruchaga, an assistant professor of psychiatry. "We don't know why that is, but perhaps it could be related to the fact that they don't have elevated tau levels."

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Genetic markers ID second Alzheimer's pathway

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Public release date: 1-Apr-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Phyllis Edelman pedelman@genetics-gsa.org 301-634-7302 Genetics Society of America

Bethesda, MDApril 1, 2013 Listed below are the selected highlights for the April 2013 issue of the Genetics Society of America's journal, Genetics. The April issue is available online at http://www.genetics.org/content/current. Please credit Genetics, Vol. 193, April 2013, Copyright 2013.

Please feel free to forward to colleagues who may be interested in these articles on a wide array of topics including methods, technology and resources; gene expression; genetics of complex traits; genome integrity and transmission; population and evolutionary genetics; cellular genetics; and, genome system biology.

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

Methods, Technology and Resources

1. Marker density and read depth for genotyping populations using genotyping-by-sequencing, pp. 1073-1081 Timothy M. Beissinger, Candice N. Hirsch, Rajandeep S. Sekhon, Jillian M. Foerster, James M. Johnson, German Muttoni, Brieanne Vaillancourt, C. Robin Buell, Shawn M. Kaeppler, and Natalia de Leon

Genotyping-by-sequencing enables rapid and efficient genotyping of any species, but it must be appropriately implemented to provide the desired information. This article describes what constitutes sufficient marker information for a variety of genetic studies, and tells how best to obtain that information with genotyping-by-sequencing.

Gene Expression

2. Novel sexual-cycle-specific gene silencing in Aspergillus nidulans, pp. 1149-1162 Wioletta Czaja, Karen Y. Miller, and Bruce L. Miller

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Genetics Society of America's Genetics journal highlights for April 2013

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AMES, Iowa, April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --NewLink Genetics Corporation (NLNK), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics, today announced the initiation of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical study of its first IDO (indoleamine-(2,3)-dioxygenase) pathway inhibitor, indoximod, in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The Phase 2 clinical study will evaluate indoximod as a new approach to treating cancer by administering this novel IDO pathway inhibitor, designed to counteract a key mechanism by which tumors evade immune-mediated destruction, in combination with a conventional cytotoxin, docetaxel. This Phase 2 clinical study follows the successful Phase 1b dose-escalation study of indoximod in patients with advanced solid tumors in which a favorable safety profile and promising early signs of activity were observed. Indoximod is the most advanced product candidate to enter clinical trials based on NewLink's proprietary IDO pathway inhibitor platform for small-molecule, orally bioavailable cancer immunotherapies.

"There is significant unmet need for new approaches that may offer more effective treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer, a leading cause of death in women in the United States," said Hatem Soliman, MD, a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer in The Center for Women's Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center and the principal investigator for this study. "Indoximod has demonstrated promising safety, pharmacokinetic and biologic activity in earlier clinical studies and we look forward to increasing our understanding of its potential in metastatic breast cancer with this robust Phase 2 study designed to evaluate the activity of indoximod in combination with a conventional chemotherapy across a number of clinically relevant endpoints."

"Indoximod, an IDO pathway inhibitor is an immune check point inhibitor akin to the recently developed antibodies targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1. IDO can be expressed within both tumor cells and/or antigen presenting cells to create local immune suppression to impair immunological detection and destructions of tumors," commented Dr. Charles Link, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NewLink. "We are excited about the promising approach of using novel therapies, like indoximod, to harness key mechanisms of the immune system to enhance the body's cancer-fighting abilities and enhance the effect of other therapies. NewLink intends to pursue this strategy as we advance other clinical candidates from our IDO pathway inhibitor platform as well as our novel candidates from our HyperAcute immunotherapy platform."

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of indoximod in combination with docetaxel as compared to docetaxel alone in up to 120 patients with metastatic breast cancer. Study endpoints include progression-free survival, objective response rate, median overall survival and evaluation of pharmacodynamic tumor markers, in addition to safety. For more information about the study please refer to http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About indoximod and inhibition of the IDO pathway

IDO (indoleamine-(2,3)-dioxygenase) pathway inhibitors, also known as one of the key class of checkpoint inhibitors, represent a potential breakthrough approach to cancer therapy using small-molecule, anti-toleragenic product candidates intended to counteract a key mechanism by which tumors evade immune-mediated destruction. IDO is an enzyme that regulates immune response by suppressing T-cell function and enabling local tumor immune escape. Recent studies have demonstrated that IDO is overexpressed in many cancers, within both tumor cells as a direct defense against T-cell attack, and also within antigen presenting cells in tumor draining lymph nodes whereby IDO promotes peripheral tolerance to tumor associated antigens (TAAs). When hijacked by developing cancers in this manner, IDO may facilitate the survival, growth, invasion, and metastasis of malignant cells expressing TAAs that might otherwise be recognized and attacked by the immune system. Indoximod is currently in multiple Phase 1B/2 studies targeting breast cancer. These include combination studies with docetaxel and with an autologous p-53 Dendritic Cell vaccine. In addition to its clinical product candidate indoximod, NewLink has an active program directed at synthesizing other IDO pathway inhibitors.

About NewLink Genetics Corporation

NewLink Genetics Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel immunotherapeutic products to improve treatment options for cancer patients. NewLink's portfolio includes biologic and small-molecule immunotherapy product candidates intended to treat a wide range of oncology indications. NewLink's product candidates are designed to harness multiple components of the immune system to combat cancer without significant incremental toxicity, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other treatment regimens. NewLink's lead product candidate, algenpantucel-L (HyperAcute Pancreas) is being studied in a Phase 3 clinical trial in surgically resected pancreatic cancer patients (under a Special Protocol Assessment with the U.S. FDA) as well as in a separate study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients. NewLink has recently launched an adaptive design Phase 2B/3 clinical trial of tergenpumatucel-L (HyperAcute Lung) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. NewLink is developing indoximod, a small-molecule, orally bioavailable product candidate from NewLink's proprietary indoleamine-(2,-3)-dioxygenase pathway inhibitor technology. NewLink is studying indoximod in various chemotherapy and immunotherapy combination studies independently and in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute. For more information please visit http://www.linkp.com. Patient information is available at http://www.pancreaticcancer-clinicaltrials.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements of NewLink that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan,""target," "potential," "will,""could," "should,""seek," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about: the prospects of algenpantucel-L, indoximod and our other HyperAcute product candidates and related clinical trials. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that NewLink makes due to a number of important factors, including risks relating to: the initiation of clinical trials and the completion of enrollment; adverse general economic and industry conditions; and those risks discussed in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in NewLink's Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012, Form S-3 Registration Statement filed December 28, 2012 and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent NewLink's views as of the date of this press release. NewLink anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while it may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing NewLink's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

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NewLink Genetics Initiates Phase 2 Trial of IDO Pathway Inhibitor, Indoximod, for the Treatment of Metastatic Breast ...

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Cancer Genetics, Inc. said thursday that it has priced its initial public offering of 600,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $10.00 per share, which is at the low end of it previous expected range of $10.00 to $12.00 per share.

The gross proceeds to Cancer Genetics from the initial public offering are expected to be $6 million, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option, before underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Cancer Genetics.

Cancer Genetics has granted the representative of the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 90,000 additional shares of common stock from the company to cover over-allotments, if any.

Shares of Cancer Genetics' common stock are expected to be quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace, operated by OTC Markets Group, under the symbol "CGIX" beginning on April 5, 2013.

Click here to receive FREE breaking news email alerts for Cancer Genetics, Inc and others in your portfolio

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Cancer Genetics Prices IPO At Low End Of Range

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NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Insight Genetics, which has developed adiagnostic test that can more accurately determineifcertainlung cancer patients will respond to targeted therapies,has been selected by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to participate in the Clinical Assay Development Program (CADP). The CADP is an initiative of NCIs Division ofCancerTreatment and Diagnosis, andaims to move promising assays from the research lab into clinical trials.

Insight Genetics Insight ALK Screenoffers comprehensivedata thatinformsa physician if a patients cancer is associated with anaplasticlymphoma kinase(ALK) and may respond toALK-inhibitortherapies, an emerging class of cancer treatments.ALK fusions and mutations have been shown to be a contributing cause in approximately 5-10 percent of lung cancers.

"As cancer treatment becomes increasingly targeted at the molecular level, the development of advanced diagnostics that can inform cancer diagnosis and therapy selection will be vital," saidChristopher Callaghan, President and COO of Insight Genetics. "Assays like our Insight ALK Screen are important advancements in this evolving cancer landscape. Weare extremely gratified tofurther this field and continueour relationship with NCIby participating in the CADP."

Insight ALK Screenis inexpensive, highly sensitive and well suited to handle largernumbers of specimensthan the ALK detection methods currently available. The PCR-based test willreducethefalse-negative call frequencyofALK status in tumors, which means more patients who may benefit from ALK inhibitor therapies will receive these targeted treatments.In addition,Insight ALK Screenprovidesrapid, unambiguous identification of the complete spectrum of oncogenic ALK fusion mutationsunachievable by more conventional PCR strategies.Its ease of use andrapid turnaround time will decreasethe time in whichphysicians and their patientsreceive information.

NCIthrough the CADPwill support Insight Genetics by providing servicesoftwoCLIA-certified labsthat willfurther validatethe assay,access toclinicalsamples, subject matter expertise,andstatistical consultation. This collaboration is the continuation of a successful relationship between NCI and Insight Genetics. In the last three years the molecular diagnostics company has been awarded four contracts from NCI for the development of companion diagnostics.

About Insight Genetics

Insight Genetics is a molecular diagnostics company focused on enabling precision medicine in cancer therapy. The companys companion diagnostics detect specific cancer biomarkers related to therapeutics that are currently in development or on the market. Insight partners with leading academic researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, clinical reference laboratories, and IVD kit manufacturers to provide new standards of care for cancer patients worldwide.www.insightgenetics.com

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Insight Genetics and National Cancer Institute Collaborate to Develop New Technologies for Clinical Trials

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AMES, Iowa, April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --NewLink Genetics Corporation (NLNK) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics. The company today announced that preclinical data on one of its IDO pathway inhibitors, NLG919, will be presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) to be held April 6-10 in Washington, DC. The poster presentation will describe the benefits of targeting the IDO pathway with small molecule immunomodulatory drugs for the treatment of cancer. NLG919 is in development as a potent IDO pathway inhibitor with desirable pharmacological properties.

Poster presentation:

About inhibition of the IDO pathway

IDO pathway inhibitors are another class of immune check point inhibitors akin to the recently developed antibodies targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1 which represent a potential breakthrough approach to cancer therapy. The IDO pathway regulates immune response by suppressing T-cell function and enabling local tumor immune escape. Recent studies have demonstrated that the IDO pathway is active in many cancers, both within tumor cells as a direct defense against T-cell attack, and also within antigen presenting cells in tumor draining lymph nodes whereby this pathway promotes peripheral tolerance to tumor associated antigens (TAAs). When hijacked by developing cancers in this manner, the IDO pathway may facilitate the survival, growth, invasion and metastasis of malignant cells expressing TAAs that might otherwise be recognized and attacked by the immune system. NewLink has a number of active programs directed at synthesizing IDO pathway inhibitors. These small-molecule, anti-tolerogenic product candidates are intended to counteract this key mechanism by which tumors evade immune-mediated destruction.

About NewLink Genetics Corporation

NewLink Genetics Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel immunotherapeutic products to improve treatment options for cancer patients. NewLink's portfolio includes biologic and small molecule immunotherapy product candidates intended to treat a wide range of oncology indications. NewLink's product candidates are designed to harness multiple components of the immune system to combat cancer without significant incremental toxicity, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other treatment regimens. NewLink's lead product candidate, algenpantucel-L (HyperAcute Pancreas) is being studied in a Phase 3 clinical trial in surgically resected pancreatic cancer patients (under a Special Protocol Assessment with the U.S. FDA) as well as in a separate study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients. NewLink has recently launched an adaptive design Phase 2B/3 clinical trial of tergenpumatucel-L (HyperAcute Lung) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. NewLink is developing indoximod, a small molecule, orally bioavailable product candidate from NewLink's proprietary indoleamine-(2,3)-dioxygenase, or IDO, pathway inhibitor technology. NewLink is studying indoximod in various chemotherapy and immunotherapy combination studies independently and in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute. For more information please visit http://www.linkp.com. Patient information is available at http://www.pancreaticcancer-clinicaltrials.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements of NewLink that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "target", "potential", "will", "could", "should", "seek", or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about: the prospects of algenpantucel-L, indoximod and our other HyperAcute product candidates and related clinical trials. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that NewLink makes due to a number of important factors, including risks relating to: the initiation of clinical trials and the completion of enrollment; adverse general economic and industry conditions; and those risks discussed in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in NewLink's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012, Form S-3 Registration Statement filed December 28, 2012 and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent NewLink's views as of the date of this press release. NewLink anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while it may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing NewLink's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Contact: Gordon Link Chief Financial Officer 515-598-2925 glink@linkp.com

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NewLink Genetics Presents Preclinical Data on NLG919, a New Drug Candidate from a Novel Class of IDO Pathway ...

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ALISO VIEJO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Ambry Genetics announced today that they have launched a somatic variant detection service, developed in collaboration with Illumina. This service complements Ambrys extensive menu of next-generation sequencing services and portfolio of diagnostic genetic testing panels for hereditary cancers.

Ambry Genetics has offered next-generation sequencing services since 2007 and has been at the forefront of establishing the technology as a diagnostic tool. Ambry was the first to launch a commercial diagnostic test utilizing next-generation sequencing with their 81 gene XLID panel, as well as the first to offer clinical exome sequencing. Leveraging years of experience, Ambry has developed a somatic cancer panel that can detect the lowest level allele frequency with the highest level of specificity available today.

Utilizing a novel target enrichment strategy, we are able to detect below 3% minor allele frequency with very high confidence, said Dr. Aaron Elliott, Director of R&D at Ambry Genetics. We have optimized every step of the process from QC to bioinformatics to virtually eliminate false positives which are a common problem for FFPE samples in current panels.

This offering is focused on clinically actionable mutations implicated in solid tumors with a focus on lung, colon, melanoma, gastric and ovarian cancers. The assay covers relevant hotspot regions of 26 genes, including deep sequencing of several genes such as TP53.

Expanding into somatic mutation detection is a key step to grow our business, said Ardy Arianpour, Vice President of Business Development at Ambry Genetics. We have had several top pharmaceutical clients test the product and are extremely happy with the data, we look to further develop the offering and move it into our clinical diagnostics menu this year.

Our understanding of cancer is rapidly evolving through a better understanding of genomics. Partnering with leaders in next-generation sequencing services enables us to build better targeted sequencing solutions that fit the needs of service providers, said Greg Heath, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Illuminas Diagnostics business. Bringing services to the clinical research market will help to further evolve our understanding of cancer and ultimately lead to better diagnostic tools.

About Ambry Genetics

Ambry Genetics is a CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified commercial clinical laboratory with headquarters in Aliso Viejo, California. Since the company's inception in 1999, it has become a leader in providing genetic services focused on clinical diagnostics and genomic services, particularly sequencing and array services. Ambry has established a solid reputation for unparalleled service and has been at the forefront of applying new target enrichment and next-gen sequencing technologies to the clinical molecular diagnostics market and to the advancement of disease research. To learn more about testing and services available through Ambry Genetics, visit http://www.ambrygen.com.

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Ambry Genetics Launches FFPE Somatic Variant Profiling Services Developed in Collaboration with Illumina

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NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Insight Genetics, a molecular diagnostics company focused on advancing precision medicine in cancer care, announced today that it will present new data on triple-negative lung cancer at the American Association for Cancer Researchs (AACR) Annual Conference, which will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. on April 6-10, 2013. The companys presentation will take place on April 8, 2013, from 1-5 p.m. in Hall A-C, Poster Section 32.

In a poster titled, The Unknown Piece of the Pie: Molecular Markers in Triple-Negative Lung Cancer, Insight Genetics scientists will highlight current research in evaluating the prevalence of the biomarker, DEPDC1, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a subset of triple-negative lung cancer, the cohort of lung cancers with the poorest prognosis.

Recent advancements in pulmonary oncology have linked the over-expression of DEPDC1 to extremely poor prognosis in a subset of triple-negative lung cancers not associated with mutations in EGFR, KRAS, and ALK. Using proprietary methods, Insight Genetics scientists have developed an assay to monitor the variants of DEPDC1, which could serve as a prognostic biomarker for this patient population.

The clinical results of this research may prove significant. Novel peptide vaccines against DEPDC1 antigens, which have been shown to be effective against bladder cancers, could potentially be extended to target the triple-negative lung cancer population.

Linking more cancers to specific biomarkers is one of the most promising new frontiers in oncology, said David Hout, Ph.D., Insight Genetics Vice President of Research and Development These findings have exciting diagnostic as well as therapeutic implicationsfor a subset of lung cancer patients, who today have limited treatment options and very poor prognoses.

About Insight Genetics

Insight Genetics is a molecular diagnostics company focused on enabling precision medicine in cancer therapy. The companys companion diagnostics detect specific cancer biomarkers related to therapeutics that are currently in development or on the market. Insight partners with leading academic researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, clinical reference laboratories, and IVD kit manufacturers to provide new standards of care for cancer patients worldwide.www.insightgenetics.com

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Insight Genetics to Present Lung Cancer Findings at AACR 2013 Annual Meeting

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RUTHERFORD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cancer Genetics, Inc., a diagnostics company focused on developing genomic-based, oncology tests and services, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 600,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $10.00 per share. The gross proceeds to Cancer Genetics from the initial public offering are expected to be $6,000,000 (assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option), before underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Cancer Genetics. Cancer Genetics has granted the representative of the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 90,000 additional shares of common stock from Cancer Genetics to cover over-allotments, if any. Shares of Cancer Genetics common stock are expected to be quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace, operated by OTC Markets Group, under the symbol CGIX beginning on April 5, 2013. Investors will be able to find Real Time Level II quotes for CGIX on http://www.otcmarkets.com.

The offering is expected to close on April 10, 2013, subject to customary closing conditions.

Aegis Capital Corp. is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.

Feltl and Company, Inc. is acting as co-manager for the offering.

This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained by contacting Aegis Capital Corp., Prospectus Department, 810 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10019, telephone: 212-813-1010, e-mail: prospectus@aegiscap.com.

A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 2013. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Cancer Genetics:

Cancer Genetics, Inc. is an early-stage diagnostics company focused on developing and commercializing proprietary genomic tests and services to improve and personalize the diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment (theranosis) of cancer. The proprietary tests being developed by Cancer Genetics target cancers that are difficult to prognose and predict treatment outcomes by using currently available mainstream techniques. These cancers include hematological, urogenital and HPV-associated cancers. Cancer Genetics recently has begun to provide its proprietary tests and services along with a comprehensive range of non-proprietary oncology-focused tests and laboratory services that it has provided historically to oncologists and pathologists at hospitals, cancer centers and physician offices. Cancer Genetics is currently offering its tests and laboratory services in its 17,936 square foot laboratory located in Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been accredited under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 to perform high complexity testing.

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Cancer Genetics , Inc. Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering of 600,000 Shares of Common Stock

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STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, Inc. (ACGT), http://www.acgtfoundation.org, https://twitter.com/acgtfoundation, and https://www.facebook.com/acgtfoundation, today announced that it has joined the inaugural The Rally for Medical Research http://www.rallyformedicalresearch.org as a partnering organization, one of more than 200 national organizations and institutions that have publicly expressed their support, including thousands of attendees and millions more engaged in advocacy activities across the nation. The Rally will be held on the steps of the Carnegie Library, across from the Washington Convention Center, at Mt. Vernon Square, 801 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 on Monday, April 8, at 11:00 a.m. A live stream of the event can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y23FFtBWzdY.

WHO:

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, Inc. (ACGT) ACGT is the only not-for-profit in the U.S. solely dedicated to cancer cell and gene therapy treatments for all types of cancer. 100% of contributions go directly to research. ACGT has funded 41 grants since its founding in 2001 totaling almost $24 million to fund both basic research and clinical translation. Seventeen ACGT funded research projects have been approved for human clinical trials; 11 of which are underway, including the two recently announced groundbreaking T-cell therapy treatments for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia resulting in full remissions in both children and adults who had no other hope of recovery.

ACGT recently announced an additional $500,000 in awards to two Young Investigators to fund more cutting-edge cell and gene therapy cancer research, which is particularly noteworthy as the National Institutes of Health has abruptly eliminated about 80% of funding for early career investigators as part of the sequester. To donate, visit http://www.acgtfoundation.org or call 203.358.8000.

WHAT:

Inaugural Rally for Medical Research to be held in Washington, DC. Federal funding for medical research continues to decline, threatening the future health of Americans.

WHEN:

Monday, April 8th, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. Join us and thousands of advocates, survivors, researchers, clinicians, business leaders, and members of the general public to speak with one voice.

WHERE:

Link:
ACGT Joins Inaugural ‘The Rally for Medical Research’ as Participating Organization; Rally To Be Held On The Steps of ...

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

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